Stephen Street issue pulled from city’s agenda

John McVey

Staff writer

jmcvey@journal-news.net

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MARTINSBURG — Martinsburg City Council members were prepared to talk about changing West Stephen Street from two way to one way between South Maple Avenue and South Raleigh Street and adding parking on the south side of West Stephen, but Mayor George Karos pulled the item from the agenda for Thursday evening’s council meeting.

Karos did not give an explanation for the last-minute agenda item cancellation. However, right before the meeting started, copies of a letter from Karos to Doug Copenhaver, president of the Berkeley County Council, was distributed to media representatives.

Copenhaver had sent a letter Tuesday to Karos opposing the proposal to change West Stephen from two way to one way for the about two blocks between South Maple and South Raleigh.

West Stephen already is one way for about half a block from a crosswalk in front of the Dunn Building at 400 W. Stephen to the South Raleigh intersection. And there is no parking on the south side of West Stephen for its entire length from South Queen Street to Winchester Avenue.

The Dunn Building belongs to Berkeley County and houses several county offices, such as the assessor’s office, tax office, and planning and engineering, and other offices like Region 9 Planning and Development Council and WVU Extension Service.

It also is where the Berkeley County Council meets and has its offices.

The crosswalk leads from the Dunn Building to a county-owned parking lot and the back entrance to the Berkeley County Judicial Center.

Martinsburg police officials recommended the change after Erin Gibbons requested the change so parking could be added. He is the owner and operator of Everything Cheesecake restaurant at 324 W. Stephen St. He also is a member of the Martinsburg Police Department.

Copenhaver’s letter says the county council was informed of the recommendations Monday, although the county council had submitted several questions and concerns about the proposal in July.

“We received no response to the questions posed,” the letter reads. “It appears that the city is taking action on a request made by an officer of the Martinsburg Police Department, who also owns a business on West Stephen Street, without having a discussion with Berkeley County on the impact it would have on the county’s executive, legislative and judicial agencies located in the area.”

In Martinsburg Police Chief Maury Richards’ letter to City Manager Mark Baldwin recommending the change, he writes that Deputy Police Chief George Swartwood, who assessed changing the directional flow on West Stephen, consulted with County Administrator Alan Davis about the request.

“(The change) would include non-metered parking on both sides of the street and a posted one-hour parking limit on the south side of the street to include four parking spaces designated for persons conducting business at Berkeley County government offices,” the letter reads.

Copenhaver writes that the county council’s main concern is hazards created by parking on the south side of West Stephen. He points out that the Crawford Building, another county-owned building across West Stephen from the Dunn Building, will probably be used for more magistrate court offices and rooms, and that parking so close to the Crawford Building will cause safety risks.

“We regret that the city did not choose to ask for the county’s input until so late in the process,” Copenhaver writes. “However, the Berkeley County Council does appreciate this opportunity to advise you of some of our concerns. We wish to go on public record as being opposed to the change in the West Stephen Street traffic flow to one-way traffic only from Maple Avenue to South Raleigh Street.”

In his response to Copenhaver, Karos writes: “It is my understanding your initial concerns were taken into consideration as part of the final review and proposal. Your letter dated Sept. 12 provided new information (renovation of the Crawford Building and Court Operations) that was not known to the city as they finalized their proposal. … I agree more communication and input on this matter between the city and county should have taken place before any changes were recommended.”

Contacted by phone Friday, Copenhaver said he appreciates the City Council taking into consideration the County Council’s concerns about changing the directional flow of West Stephen.

“Judge (Christopher) Wilkes, chief judge of the 23rd circuit, told us that the Crawford Building will have to be remodeled for a new judge and magistrate court,” Copenhaver said. “He said it could be as soon as 2018.”

Copenhaver said the County Council will look at further discussions with the city about traffic on West Stephen Street.

Staff writer John McVey can be reached at 304-263-3381, ext. 128, or twitter @jmcveyJN.